The Red Queen Effect: Infinite Competition in the New World Order
The Red Queen Effect comes from the famous “Alice in Wonderland” story. Basically it posits that you have to run twice as fast to stay in the same place you are. It certainly sounds like hell to most people I am sure. But I’ve never shied away from reality.
Think about the world we are in. Massive changes are increasing all the time. Change driven by geopolitics on one side as the world splits into the 3 big spheres of the Global West (US/ Europe/Japan) versus the Global East (Russia/China) versus the Global South (Latam, SE Asia & Africa). Globalization as we know it is over as these blocks focus on self sufficiency versus trade with other blocks.
Yet, what will not change is the globalization of talent and the increasing capability and expertise from hungry, hard working, well educated workers from the developed world. Ie. Emerging markets of India; Eastern Europe etc. People Willing to work harder and cheaper than those workers in the developed world.
All of this is enabled by the continuing growth trend of technology. Look at the previously much hyped Artificial Intelligence (AI), as exemplified by ChatGPT. As the excellent folks at BowtiedBull state:
“AI is just a scarier word for software. It is the same thing. The only difference is that the software is improving its capabilities in an exponential fashion. That “small difference” of course is enormous but the point stands. AI is simply advanced software.”
One of the fastest growing and adopted technology products ever: think of it as a booster for your brain. This kind of AI enables a white collar worker to do the job of 4-5 people (maybe more as it gets better). It also raises the requirements and the bar for anyone working in their occupation. It provides massive leverage for companies but consequently fewer jobs.
This is leading to massive future shock of the populace who are having a hard time adjusting, let alone understanding what is happening to their world and their jobs. These three massive trends will crush white collar jobs. Even previously in-demand and secure jobs like Software engineers will be in big trouble.
We are entering a brand new world of ruthless, severe, crushing competition. Driven by ever higher levels of desperation among the world’s populace. It will be player versus player, all the time! This will be a very harsh and tough world. And it will certainly not be a fair one. In fact, it will be completely merciless.
For those who either hate their work or want to coast in life, you will be in big trouble. Complacency, laziness, a lack of curiosity and mediocrity will be punished severely by the market. You will become irrelevant quickly and probably replaced by software or someone willing to do your work for a fraction of your pay. I’ve spoken publicly about this for a decade but it’s now becoming more glaringly obvious.
Harsh Strongman (yes, this person exists) of Life Math Money wrote:
“What I can tell with certainty is that for the vast majority of people, life does not get better with time. In fact, it gets worse.
Their bodies grow older, they put on weight, their income doesn’t rise much, and the stress from their jobs shows on their face.
Life does not get better unless you make it better. If you are not working to actively make life better, it will only get worse."
This will be a boon for someone who is ultra competitive. And also for someone who has been lucky enough to find something they enjoy and am somewhat good at. I literally spend all my time trying to perfect my craft. It’s fun. And thus it becomes my sustainable competitive advantage.
This new environment will be doubly beneficial for you if you have any inkling of entrepreneurial instincts, sense or interests. It will be perfect for anyone who is interested in personal growth & personal development, obsessed with solving problems, independent minded and searching for control of their own destiny.
This will be your time as you can harness all these massive forces to build a business and the life you truly desire.